CHEM 401-EXPERIMENT #2-3CBC

DETERMINATION OF VISCOSITY OF LIQUIDS USING THE OSTWALD VISCOMETER

GUTIERREZ, Ma. Ellah Patricia M., IMBAO, Ma. Rio Lauren M., JAMORABON, Jasmine Mary A.,
LABASTIDA, Kaye Ann B., LAI, Kurt Raven T., LIM, Beatrice Andrea G.
Department of Biochemistry
Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Santo Tomas

ABSTRACT
Viscosity is the quantity that describes a fluid's resistance to flow. Its unit is the Greek letter Poise which
is equivalent to kg/ms2 In this experiment, the group identified the viscosity of different liquid samples
namely: methanol, 95% ethanol, isopropanol, and different concentrations of sucrose solutions (1%, 5%,
10%, 20% and 30%). The time flow of the samples were measured using Ostwald Viscometer, and the
viscosity is computed with the reference liquid which, is water with an experimental time flow of 138
seconds, and theoretical viscosity value of .0091 Poise and density of 1g/cm3. The densities used in the
experiment were also experimental from the previous experiment. The factors affecting viscosity was
also identified temperature, pressure and molecular interaction, and concentration. The experimental
results were further discussed in the Results and Discussions part wherein the percentage error was also
determined and analyzed.

INTRODUCTION
through a U-shaped tube to measure the fluids
Viscosity is often referred to as the
viscosity. The measurement is determined by
thickness of a fluid. At a molecular level,
noting the time required for the fluid to flow a
viscosity is a result the interaction between the
certain distance through tubing of a specific
different molecules in a fluid. This can be also
diameter. [3]
understood as friction between the molecules
in the fluid. Just like in the case of friction
between moving solids, viscosity will determine
the energy required to make a fluid flow. [1]
Viscosity is also a measurement of how
resistant a fluid is to attempts to move through
it. A fluid with a low viscosity is said to be
"thin," while a high viscosity fluid is said to be
"thick." It is easier to move through a low
viscosity fluid (like water) than a high viscosity
fluid (like honey). [2]
Viscosity can be measured using various
methods from do-it-yourself methods to
viscometers that are available in the
market. One of the methods to measure Figure 1. Ostwald Viscometer Setup
viscosity is by using Ostwald viscometer. The
Ostwald viscometer is also known as a U-tube
viscometer or capillary viscometer. The device
utilizes direct or reverse flow of the test fluid

Page | 1
CHEM 401-EXPERIMENT #2-3CBC

The viscosity of a liquid can be expressed by: the average time. A Westphal Balance was
used to determine the density of the liquid
1 11
= samples in order to compute for the
2 22
viscosity.
where, 1 and 2 are the viscosities of the
sample and reference liquids; 2. Concentration and Viscosity
Solution having 100 mL of 30%, 20%,
1 and 2 are the densities of the
10%, 5%, and 1% sucrose was prepared to
sample and reference liquids; and
determine their density using a Westphal
t1 and t2 are the flow time of the sample Balance. On the other hand, a Ostwald
and reference liquids. Viscometer was used to determine the
viscosity of the prepared solutions. A plot
In this experiment, the objectives are of the concentration and viscosity of
the following: determine the viscosity of liquids sucrose solution was then illustrated.
using the Ostwald Viscometer; explain the
factors affecting viscosity of liquids; and define
the relationship between concentration and RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
viscosity of solutions. The reference liquid used in this
experiment is water, with 1g/mL density; .0091
Poise viscosity; and an experimental value of
METHODOLOGY 138 seconds as the flow time, the viscosity of
A. Materials and Samples Used
different liquid samples are computed.
The materials used in determining the
viscosity of liquids are the following: Ostwald Using the mean experimental densities
viscometer, thermometer, rubber aspirator, of the liquids from the previous experiments of
500-mL beaker, 10-mL pipette, iron stand, the whole class; and the mean flow time from
clamp, acetone, and timer. The liquid samples two trials, the data gathered are as of follows:
used in the experiment are distilled water,
Table 1. Density of Liquid Samples
methanol, 95% ethanol, absolute ethanol,
propanol, 1% sucrose, 5% sucrose, 10% sucrose,
20% sucrose, and 30% sucrose. Flow
Density Viscosity
B. Procedure Liquid Sample Time
(g/cm3) (P)
1. Determination of the Viscosity of Liquids (sec)
Methanol 0.779 115 .0059
Using the Ostwald Viscometer
95% Ethanol 0.825 321 .017
The viscometer was cleaned by allowing
Isopropanol 0.779 416 .021
acetone to pass through the tube and was
1% sucrose 0.938 143 .0088
left to dry making sure there were no 5% sucrose 0.973 166 .011
bubbles formed. Using a a pipette, ten mL 10% sucrose 0.992 181 .012
of distilled water was poured into the 20% sucrose 1.04 247 .017
viscometer and left for 5 minutes and was 30% sucrose 1.08 402 .029
equilibrated. Using a rubber aspirator, the
liquid level in the viscometer was brought
above the upper graduation mark then the In the given table, we can infer that as
liquid was allowed to flow down through the concentration increases, the viscosity also
the capillary. A timer was set from the time increases. To further visualize this, the different
the the meniscus passes the upper percentage concentrations of the sucrose
graduation mark until the meniscus passes solutions were plotted against its viscosity.
the lower mark. Three trials were
performed followed by the computation of

Page | 2
CHEM 401-EXPERIMENT #2-3CBC

35 Table 2. Percentage Error from the Experiment

30 Theoretical
25 Liquid Sample Percentage Error
Value
20 Methanol .0056 P 5.36%
15 n-Propanol .011 P 54.5%
10 95% Ethanol .020 P 5.00%
5 1% sucrose .011 P 20.0%
0 5% sucrose .014 P 21.4%
1 2 3 4 5 10% sucrose .013 P 7.7%
20% sucrose .020 P 15.0%
Figure 2. Sucrose Solutions vs Viscosity 30% sucrose .032 P 9.40%

The linearity of the graph shows a direct

proportion of the concentration to the viscosity
of the sample.
There are factors that affect viscosity,
and one of them is molecular interaction. The
more linked the molecules are in a substance,
the more viscous it is [1], therefore we can
conclude that, in the experiment, the 30%
sucrose solution has the most molecule
interaction, and the least is methanol. Another
comparison is that of the isopropanol, and the
ethanol, the two of these has the same
molecules present; however, we can infer that
isopropanol has more molecular interaction
than ethanol.
The percentage errors of the samples
are quite high; the first possible reason for this
is the used density. The experimental density
used also has its own percentage error, which
may add up to this experiments errors. Another
reason is that, the theoretical viscosity values
are measured in 25C, the room temperature
wherein, in the experiment, the room
temperature is approximately, 23C.
One way of reducing the experimental
errors is by working with a room temperature.
And reduction of human errors such as,
unattended timer, bubbles on the Ostwald
Viscometer, and a possible parallax error.

Factor affecting the viscosity of a liquid,

also includes the ambient conditions
CONCLUSION
temperature and pressure. [1] As temperature
In conclusion, the time flow of the
increases, there is also an increase in the
reference and the different sample liquids were
molecular interchange as molecules move
identified using the Ostwald Viscometer, and
faster in higher temperatures. In a broader
the data gathered was used to compute for the
concept, an increase in temperature causes the
density.
kinetic or thermal energy to increase and the
molecules become more mobile [2], therefore in The factors affecting viscosity was also
high temperature, a liquid is less viscous and identified which is the ambient conditions,
vice versa. Although pressure also affects the temperature and pressure, and molecular
viscosity, it has a low effect compared to interaction. These factors compare the samples
temperature, so it wouldnt be discussed from the most viscous to the less viscous one.
further. The concentration of the sample also infers that
the more concentrated the sample, the more
With the results given, the theoretical
viscous it is, therefore, giving it a direct
viscosity value of the liquid samples were
relationship.
researched, and the percentage errors
computed and are as of follows:

Page | 3
CHEM 401-EXPERIMENT #2-3CBC

REFERENCES
[1] What is Viscosity? (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.rheosense.com/what-is-viscosity
[2] Jones, A. Z. (2017, August 1). What is
Viscosity in Physics? Retrieved from
https://www.thoughtco.com/viscosity-2699336
[3] Bennet, D. (2017, August 5). What is an
Oswald Viscometer? Retrieved from
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-ostwald-
viscometer.htm
[4] Mezger T., (2011) 'The Rheology Handbook',
3rd revised Edition, Vincentz Network, Hanover,
Germany. Retrieved from
https://www.european-
coatings.com/var/StorageVincentz/VN-
Inhalt/552_Inhalt.pdf at 9/5/17
[5] Muhammed N. (2017) J.Bio.Innov 6(1), pp:
117-123, 2017 ISSN 2277-8330 (Electronic)

Page | 4